SCH4U

As a continuation of SCH3U, SCH4U will build and expand on key concepts from the grade 11 course. There are five key units of study. The course will cover them in the order below. In each unit there are several key ideas or "Big Ideas".

Big Ideas

Structure and Properties of Matter

• The nature of the attractive forces that exist between particles in a substance determines the properties and limits the uses of that substance.
• Technological devices that are based on the principles of atomic and molecular structures can have societal benefits and costs.

Organic Chemistry

• Organic compounds have predictable chemical and physical properties determined by their respective structures.
• Organic chemical reactions and their applications have significant implications for society, human health, and the environment.

Energy Changes and Rates of Reaction

• Energy changes and rates of chemical reactions can be described quantitatively.
• Efficiency of chemical reactions can be improved by applying optimal conditions.
• Technologies that transform energy can have societal and environmental costs and benefits.

Chemical Systems and Equilibrium

• Chemical systems are dynamic and respond to changing conditions in predictable ways.
• Applications of chemical systems at equilibrium have significant implications for nature and industry.

Electrochemistry

• Oxidation and reduction are paired chemical reactions in which electrons are transferred from one substance to another in a predictable way.
• The control and applications of oxidation and reduction reactions have significant implications for industry, health and safety, and the environment.

Ministry of Education Curriculum Documents

View the course outline